Giving yourself extra time can add patience. And if you aren’t stressed about making your next appointment, you can take those moments standing in line to enjoy the holiday decor and excited children around you.

2. Weight gain

This is one of the hardest places for me to stay disciplined about, but I try to stay focused forward.

How do I want to feel tomorrow?

How healthy do I want to be on January 1st?

Is what I’m doing today helping or hindering that?

Yes, sometimes it means saying no to another high-calorie goody. But when I get to tomorrow (or January), I’ll be thankful.

3. Financial strains

Guess what? Christmas comes every December 25. It never changes. That predictability means you can plan ahead, even if you haven’t yet saved a single penny.

Start with a budget. Who are you going to buy presents for? And about how much do you think you want to spend on each one? Make your list, add up the amounts, then divide by three. If you can’t put aside that much money each month for October, November, and December, then you need to make some changes.

Can you take anyone off the list?

Which presents can you make yourself for less?

And don’t underestimate the gift of time. One of my favorite gifts was homemade goodies delivered throughout the year by a dear friend.

4. Busy Days and Nights

In addition to our normal busy schedules, December can bring more stress at work as the year comes to a close. It also tends to bring more social gatherings, both in the workplace and with family and friends. What do you do?

Plan ahead.

Think about all the parties you already know will likely happen. Which ones can you skip, or at least attend only for a few minutes? Which ones can you and your spouse divide and conquer, or rather, have only one of you attend?

Consider the people you most want to see over the holiday season. Put them on your calendar first, but be creative. Some of these gatherings could be early morning coffee or a Saturday brunch.

5. Troublesome Family Relationships

This may be the most heart-rending problems of the season, and there really aren’t any easy answers. Whether your relationships struggle because of personality conflicts or past tragedies, you can find greater peace and joy.

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About Me

I am the author of encouraging nonfiction for military spouses and inspirational fiction. If you want to believe that God created you for more than you have or want to find freedom to fight life’s battles God’s way, then you are in the right place!